N01369:111
The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David…
The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David Wallis, on his companion Benjamin Stolwood: on Saturday night, the first of August, 1713. With his carriage oftener condemnation; his confession and dying speech at the place of execution, &c. : To which are added, the sermons preached at the lecture in Boston, in his hearing, after condemnation; and on the day of his execution, being Sept. 24. 1713.The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David Wallis, on his companion Benjamin Stolwood: on Saturday night, the first of August, 1713. With his carriage ofter condemnation; his confession and dying speech at the place of execution, &c. : To which are added, the sermons preached at the lecture in Boston, in his hearing, after condemnation; and on the day of his execution, being Sept. 24. 1713.
printed by John Allen for Nicholas Boone, 1713
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A mans Life is Invaluable to him, and it is not to be repaired, there is nothing equal to it; not all a mans precious Substance. Skin for Skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his Life. Self-love, and Self-preservation, are an Invincible Principle, and Law, implanted by God in the hearts of all men.
But then moreover, to take away the Life of any one, fixes his Soul for Eternity in an Unchangeable State of Happiness or Misery: and so (as one says) not only is all Temporal Good hereby at once ravished from a man, but his Soul incurs infinite hazard, and it may be damage.
And as to Humane Society, the Sin of Murder strikes at the very Being, and all the Comforts hereof. For there were no more living in any quiet or safety, if this might be allowed, then there might be among the wild and savage Beasts of the Woods, where the stronger and fiercer prey upon the weak and mild. So that Societies must disband, and all the ⟨p. 11⟩Rules as well as […] of it dissolve together, if the Crime of Murder, were not held Capital, […] unpardonably so among men. As Jacob said of his two Sons, and all his Fatherly Goodness could not reconcile him to them, nor cover their bloody Stain: Gen. 49. 5, 6, 7. Simeon and Levi are brethren: instruments of Cruelty are in their habitations. O my Soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce: and their wrath, for it was cruel.
And as to Humane Society, the Sin of Murder strikes at the very Being, and all the Comforts hereof. For there were no more living in any quiet or safety, if this might be allow'd, then there might be among the wild and savage Beasts of the Woods, where the stronger and fiercer prey upon the weak and mild. So that Societies must disband, and all the